Light swtich - 3 way HELP pls?

Question

Im replacing a 3 way light swtich and i think i made some error.

the original light had the common wire on the bottom, followed by the red and black wire on top going horizontally. the other switch had the same set up but it was black and red.

R B B R

C C

the new switches however had sockets going all vertical. ( can someone tell me where im suppose to put the B and R wire, does the R go on top of the C or the B on top of the common?)

anyways, we put one R B C and the other switch B R C. It didn't turn on. we switched the black wire with the common and the light did turn on however this is where the problem start. you can turn on the light with one switch but once you turn it off with the other switch, the first switch does not turn it on anymore but the second switch does.

Answer 1

WHat kind of appliance is this or is it cieling or wall outlet lighting? If your doing house wiring and this switch or light turns off and on in 2 places then you need a single pole double throw type switch setup. If it turns off and on from more than 2 places that requires a four way switch and 2 - 3pole switches. The type you are discribing C-X-X makes me think you have a 4 way switch and it wont work in place of a 2 - on off station with out modification. It would be to difficult to tell you how to do this and make sure we both are on the right place/page. So if you have a 2 pole 2 throw sw exchange it for a 1 pole 2 throw (if you just have 2 places to turn it on - off at). The wiring then would be just like your origonal I believe or close enough so you'd figure it out..

If your 3 or more places to turn on off the light :

Just believe that the only wire that makes a differance is the one on C. wire it up with the same as the old "C" and the other 2 wont matter.

I assume you have a replacement 1pole 2 throw switch but if you have a 4 way swich it wont work you need a like for like swich. Take the old one with you and seee if its what you have bought. If not exchange it and good luck.

Answer 2

Look for markings or s***w color on your new switch.

'Common' will be marked differently than the two 'travelers'.

Answer 3

It's hard for me to follow from your descriptions.  When I re-wired my nathroom, I found a ton of typical 3-way wiring diagrams on the internet.  Make sure not to sue one that leave a live wire when the light is off, unless you absolutely need to wire it that way.  Coding may nto allow it either, but for that I'm not as sure.

Answer 4

I got confused so we'll start at the beginning :)

The colors don't really matter and there are a few ways the electrician may have installed the light.

The important ones are the 'point' wires that go to the COMMON terminal.  At one switch the point wire will be the one going to the light (common terminal) and the other two will be 'travelers' that go between the switches.  These 2 wires can go on any terminal except the common terminal.  The other switch will have the feed wire from the panel.  This is also a COMMON wire.

----/:=========:\---  (hows that for a diagram?)  :)

If the new switches don't have a COM next to a terminal, the com will be a s***w thats different than the others like 2 silver and 1 brass or 2 brass and 1 black.

It would be great if you had a tester in case you got the point wires mixed up with the travelers.

Answer 5

I tried three times to give you a diagram, but the computer changes the diagram when printed. So here goes.....Your hot wire goes to C. The other two wires , X and X Go to the second switch X, and X, the C on the second switch gos to the lamp, the second wire from the lamp goes to neutral. If you are using a three wire conductor between switches, the white is one of the switched legs, and not a neutral. Technically, you are supposed to use a red and black, but most electricians use the white as a hot wire. I know it's confusing, but it works. Good luck.